Stories from Christchurch

Read stories and get inspired! Share a cycling story and inspire others to get out and ride!

Bike life

My first bike was a Christmas present after I turned 5 years old. I was so excited, that I sneaked into the garage (where I was told NOT to go) to ride it. It was red, with a large front wheel and ... read more

Topic: Other

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Back in the saddle

After a bit of a tough year in 2020 change in job, change in house a new commute ride to work is getting the head and body heading back in a good direction.

Topic: My commute by bike

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10 minutes a day

This February, I have been inspired to ride every day. I normally travel everywhere on my bike, but now there's more reasons to bike on my days off. Even a 10 minute ride does wonders for my feelin... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story I believe the children are our future...

I believe the children are our future...

I think that my eight year old son sums it up with this quote which he put on a poster which he made for his classroom recently.

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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School's Cool!

Due to the latest Level 2 alert for ChCh and working from home for the next 3 days, I decided to take my daughter to school by bike this morning. She is still small enough (just..) to fit on the S... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story carrying bikes on  a bike

carrying bikes on a bike

I am involved in the Aranui Bike Fixup which receives old bikes which we restore and pass on to locals in Aranui who need them. I had six collected up and had to transport them 6km to the workshop,... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Silly old fart.

Hi all, I was told of this event by a friend at work and so far I am loving it. I had been thinking of riding the old bike again for some time but was put of by the traffic on the narrow county roa... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Riding tandem with Telzey

Riding tandem with Telzey

The thing is, I live and work in a small town,so I don't really need a car. The main reason I have one is to get my cat to the vet. What to do? Find a bike-compatible, cat-friendly pet carrier of c... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Taking a moment in the bush

Taking a moment in the bush

When I drive I rarely take the time to enjoy the city I live in but with biking I an so easily stop, hop off and have a wee explore. Yesterday I decided to visit a piece of remnant bush in Christch... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story A20 Alps to Ocean

A20 Alps to Ocean

On 5 Feb we cycled from Tekapo to Twizel passed canals, lake Tekapo, Ohau and Pukaki; scenery to die for. 6 Feb we biked to Ohau Lodge with a side trip to Ohau weir which was closed but very pictur... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story The bike proposal

The bike proposal

My partner and I love to bike, and when camping at my favourite family spot, he took me on a bike ride to Mystery Lake - about a three hour climb! Half way the the wind was howling and I was pretty... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story Three Crashes & Love

Three Crashes & Love

Hubby and I met June 2015 and he was aware I loved to exercise alot, so we naturally went on a ride for one of our first dates. I over estimated his biking fitness and he got cramp and was very ... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story A false start, then up from there!

A false start, then up from there!

About 15 years ago I was on holiday in Europe with my boyfriend at the time. I hadn't been on a bike in many years, but we went for a ride on bikes that came free with our accommodation. I was a bi... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Biking with the ONE I LOVE

My husband is so romantic and came for 3 evening bike ride dates in a row. It was so special and I appreciate my husband biking with me. When I have been out biking and he sees me through the win... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Best and worst road on my commute

Blenheim Road is both awesome and awful for commuting. Minimal parking means there's far less risk of dooring, and the traffic tends to create a nice draught regardless of the wind. So many pot... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Wildlife incounters on night ride

During lock down to maintain shift separation I had to do night shift. On my ride home over a week I encountered two possum and was confronted by a rat that decided he had more rights to the path I... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Creating Memories

Creating Memories

Here we all are, ready to make some memories on a recent family trip to Hanmer.

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Child hood memories to be created

Child hood memories to be created

I have my memories of riding to school. And now i want my kid to make those memories. When i was walking along his biking then either i was dictating and my boy was thinking i am biking so only i ... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Nostalgia Bike Gang

Nostalgia Bike Gang

It's getting to be quite the institution, the annual "Bike gang" ride from various parts of Christchurch to the Nostalgia Festival at Ferrymead. Today was my first time going to the festival and of... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story You’re doing really well

You’re doing really well

So after a big crash on my bike, I was getting back on the proverbial horse. Cardrona on Saturday, Skyline Gondola Sunday and Glendhu Bay on Sunday. At Cardrona, I rode a track that I refused to ri... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Northern Corridor cycleway is awesome

I took advantage of Saturday afternoons open day for the new Christchurch Northern Corridor. Headed from Edgeware Rd, joined at the Cranford St roundabout, then all the way north up the cycleway, a... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Another office picnic ride in Hagley Park

Another office picnic ride in Hagley Park

For the second year, GHD Christchurch arranged a lunchtime picnic ride to encourage staff to ride a bike. Today we had a beautiful day warm day to go for the relaxed 3.5km ride off road. We had ano... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Carpe diem-seize the day-grip the handlebars-commandeer the towball

Carpe diem-seize the day-grip the handlebars-commandeer the towball

For the last several years I have been wanting to bike part of the way to work. Problem: it’s 56km between home and Christchurch!! If I could just bike some of it I would be happy. Well happier tha... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Cargo Bike Thrills

Cargo Bike Thrills

I have been a bicycle nut for years and always try to ride everywhere (better for the planet, and better for my fitness and stress levels). Last year I decided to buy a cargo bike to take the next ... read more

Topic: Other

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Riding into the sunset

When I first met my now husband I knew that he loved mountain bike riding, yet I had not been on a bike since I out grew my childhood bike. Yet (with my permission) he purchased me a cross countr... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Good Luck

I will not be taking part in the Aotearoa Bike Challenge this year, and as I am the only one from my work place taking part, I withdraw from this event. I was made redundant from my job this mornin... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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How I met my wife and later proposed

I was riding with my sister in Riverhead Forrest Auckland in 1995 and met some friends and a group of their friends, one of whom caught my eye. After a number of fun filled years including regular ... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story Baby on board

Baby on board

My husband and I met on a Friday night at after-work drinks - which we’d both quite naturally biked to. Many of our subsequent dates, leisure and general life together involved biking. I wasn’t z... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Stories from around the world

This was crazy...

At a cycle park, well, me and my brother managed to race against each other, but then we heard screaming. We realised it was our sister rushing behind us... Thankfully, with our bikes, we managed t... read more

Topic: Other

Image for story The rainbow at the end of the storm

The rainbow at the end of the storm

The last 2 years I have been riding for the young man pictured in the attachment below. He has fought the fight with everything he had to offer. Through his courage and a community committed to hi... read more

Topic: Other

Image for story Why I Love to Ride

Why I Love to Ride

I moved to Cambridge in 1999 as a young adult, and after commuting by bus for a while I switched to cycling, and have been a transport cyclist ever since. When I had a baby I stopped cycling for a ... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story Joining the Fold!!

Joining the Fold!!

I work in the Centre of Cambridge, 8am- 4pm Monday to Friday. I used to drive everyday from my home in Haverhill to my work. Leaving work at 4pm it used to take me 25 minutes to cover 2.8 miles thr... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story The bridge to nowhere

The bridge to nowhere

Visited the famous bridge to nowhere in Bristol on a sunny Sunday after just having snowed the day before :)

Topic: Other

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Image for story Not UK, sorry, now in Seville!

Not UK, sorry, now in Seville!

We hired bikes for 24 hours and discovered this great place in the best way. Only the very crowded tourist heart better on foot, otherwise there is a fantastic network of paths all over the city. A... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story My happy places x 2

My happy places x 2

So, I booked a weekend in Christchurch with goal of finding 'the bike'. I walked Sumner/Redcliffs pathway (Happy place no. 1 the beach)Then returned the next day to 'christen' my new bike on the sa... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story What to do with unused pavement chalks

What to do with unused pavement chalks

I saw my neighbours outside with their wee one on his little balance bike. I looked at my box of unused pavement chalk sitting around and knew what needed to happen. Some time and a combined effo... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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The cycle of life

There are many moments in our own 'journey' with cycling. I remember learning to do without stabilisers in our back garden when I was young, riding no hands, doing a paper round, riding to school..... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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Image for story In Madrid, not UK, sorry!

In Madrid, not UK, sorry!

We hired bikes and discovered the lovely Casa de Campo then the very impressive new infrastructure along the Rio Manzanares. And the weather was fantastic too!

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story The team at Great South are clocking up the KMs 🚲

The team at Great South are clocking up the KMs 🚲

“For me riding a bicycle helps me to become aware of the elements and landscapes around me. It’s a form of mobile meditation and a test of endurance when it its rainy and windy”. - Paula López

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Cycling can be addictive!

I've previously mentioned how circumstances got me back on the bike last year. Since buying my ebike in August last year, I've ridden almost 4500 km on it. I love the bike and the riding experien... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story 20,000 miles

20,000 miles

This is Robert. Robert cycles several times a week with us at simplycycling. Since he started his journey he has recorded every mile in a hand written journal. We had a little presentation to celeb... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story What a wonderful way to start the week!

What a wonderful way to start the week!

I took my beautiful daughter to the child minder for the first time today. We rode in the cargo bike and what a wonderful start to the week it was! The sun is shining. The sky is blue and people co... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Finally got out there

Finally got out there

I realised that my commute to work In Hamilton (usually about 14 minutes by car) could be totally different by bike, as I could make use of the amazing Waikato River Te Awa trail. The Aotearoa Bik... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Alps to Ocean

Most amazing cycle trail -- spectacular scenery and lots of fun physical challenges -- although best part by far was meeting golden-oldies were totally kicking it -- So, so inspiring -- If you ever... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Toddler and music

Somehow having a toddler on the back gives a perfectly valid excuse to blast some tunes on the bike... From Disney bangers to fat freddys, bring on the day!

Topic: My commute by bike

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Power of the Pedal

Loving the fact I can travel to work faster by bike than by taking the car! I feel very satisfied as I zoom past the stationery traffic stuck in the morning and evening traffic jams. All viwed from... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Balancing the bike and gym

Balancing the bike and gym

Took on a challenge for myself this year to keep up with the gym (35 day challenge) and getting out for rides on my bike, whilst increasing how often I bike to work and home. Been a successful few ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Our 'Bike Bus'

Our 'Bike Bus'

I've started taking the kids to school by bike this year and love how excited they get! On bike days they are out of the door in record time, eager to get pedalling. We're enjoying it so much, we'v... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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Out and about

The Aotearoa Bike Challenge has got not just me but my husband out and about biking on the weekends. It is amazing how many individuals, couples and families are out enjoying a bit of free air and ... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Love Taupo - I can bike to work

Love Taupo - I can bike to work

I biked to work today, the first time since last years Bike Challenge. To say I am proud of myself is an understatement, plus I encouraged my work colleague "M" to bike to work today too. I must a... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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